SOU holds study away fair, celebrates International Education Week
The Southern Oregon University Study Away Fair, a one-stop shop for those who want to learn more about study-away options, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Stevenson Union Gallery (Room 323).
Students, faculty, staff and others are invited to the free event, which is part of SOU’s observation of International Education Week, Nov. 12 through 16.
The fair will feature information about study abroad programs and providers, peer advisors from SOU’s Office of International Programs, a financial aid counselor who can discuss options for meeting program costs, international students from the university’s partner programs and SOU students who have returned from various study-away experiences.
Representatives of three study abroad programs – Academic Programs International, IE3 Global and Global Education Oregon – will be available to answer questions.
Mary Gardiner, SOU’s associate director of study away and global engagement, will discuss direct exchanges, partner programs and the National Student Exchange. SOU business Professor Curt Bacon will field questions from students about direct exchange programs with the School of Business. And SOU financial aid counselor Debbie O’Dea will be available from noon to 2 p.m., to help explain options for covering study-away program costs.
A special guest from Universidad de Guanajuato, Kennia Carrillo, will also be present at the fair as UG and SOU prepare to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of their sister university relationship in 2019. Carrillo is coordinator for the Office of International Relations and Academic Collaboration at UG.
International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. State Department and Department of Education to promote programs that “prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences.”
SOU’s Office of International Programs is collecting non-perishable food and hygiene products throughout International Education Week, and will deliver donated items to the SOU Food Pantry at the end of the week. Donations may be brought to Room 322 of the Stevenson Union, or taken directly to the SOU Food Pantry in Room 312G.
The Office of International Programs – a U.S. Passport acceptance facility – held a “Family Passport Day” on Monday. A pair of international employment workshops – one for faculty and staff who may help or advise international students, and a second for international students with F/J visas – are scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively, in Room 319 of the Stevenson Union. International Culture Day on Thursday features a boba tea fundraiser by the Asian Student Union in the Stevenson Union Courtyard from noon to 1:30 p.m., and an International Student Union open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 313 of the Stevenson Union. The Office of International Programs will hold a study away information session from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday in Room 319 of the Stevenson Union, and SOU’s French Club will hold a membership information event from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 318.